Drivers, start your engines

OUR VIEW

Published: Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 21, 2014 at 6:14 p.m.

Nothing brands Daytona Beach like the Daytona 500.

Thousands of race fans will pour into Daytona International Speedway today for the 56th running of the greatest auto race in the world. Millions of people will watch the event on television. And once again Daytona Beach will be in the spotlight.

The 500 puts Daytona Beach and the surrounding area on the national — and international — stage. It brings millions of tourist dollars into the community every February, and it attracts visitors to the area year-round.

For that reason and many more, the race and the two weeks of Speedweeks leading up to the big race are a blessing to Volusia County.

Unlike other sports such as football or baseball, NASCAR's biggest event of the year always takes place in Daytona Beach. With it comes thousands of fans who stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, enjoy our beaches, shop in area stores, and infuse new money into the area economy. Last year, about 135,000 people attended the 500 itself.

Of course many fans show up long before the 500 to enjoy the other races that advance it during Speedweeks. And even before that — in January — race fans are here for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first race of the year in Daytona Beach.

But the 500 is the big show. Race fans across the world will watch it.

Last year, 16.7 million people watched the Daytona 500 on television, according to Nielsen. That's a 22 percent increase from the 2012 race, which was rain-delayed. Last year's excitement was much a result of female racer Danica Patrick starting the race from the pole. This year, Danica is back, and will start at position 27 in her GoDaddy-sponsored Chevrolet.

A number is generating the excitement this year. No. 3 is back at the Speedway — and on the pole, no less. The last time No. 3 was on the track was Feb. 18, 2001, and legendary racer Dale Earnhardt was behind the wheel. Earnhardt died that day, crashing in Turn 4 of his final lap and not surviving his injuries.

This year, rookie racer Austin Dillon is behind the wheel of the No. 3 Chevrolet. He earned the pole by clocking the fastest time around the Speedway's 2.5-mile tri-oval. Some fans would like to see Earnhardt's number retired, and others believe Earnhardt himself would have wanted to see No. 3 used on the track. When the race begins this afternoon, fans will see if Dillon can measure up to the legacy of the number.

Fans have already witnessed the excitement of the Sprint Unlimited, the Budweiser Duel, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NextEra Energy Resources 250, and the Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300. Now it's time for the biggest one of them all: the Daytona 500.

Barring any delay, just before 1 p.m. today, fans will rise for the national anthem. The Thunderbirds will roar over the Speedway. Grand marshal and superhero Captain America — actually, actor Chris Evans — will implore racers to “start your engines.”

<p>Nothing brands Daytona Beach like the Daytona 500.</p><p>Thousands of race fans will pour into Daytona International Speedway today for the 56th running of the greatest auto race in the world. Millions of people will watch the event on television. And once again Daytona Beach will be in the spotlight.</p><p>The 500 puts Daytona Beach and the surrounding area on the national — and international — stage. It brings millions of tourist dollars into the community every February, and it attracts visitors to the area year-round. </p><p>For that reason and many more, the race and the two weeks of Speedweeks leading up to the big race are a blessing to Volusia County.</p><p>Unlike other sports such as football or baseball, NASCAR's biggest event of the year always takes place in Daytona Beach. With it comes thousands of fans who stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, enjoy our beaches, shop in area stores, and infuse new money into the area economy. Last year, about 135,000 people attended the 500 itself.</p><p>Of course many fans show up long before the 500 to enjoy the other races that advance it during Speedweeks. And even before that — in January — race fans are here for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first race of the year in Daytona Beach.</p><p>But the 500 is the big show. Race fans across the world will watch it.</p><p>Last year, 16.7 million people watched the Daytona 500 on television, according to Nielsen. That's a 22 percent increase from the 2012 race, which was rain-delayed. Last year's excitement was much a result of female racer Danica Patrick starting the race from the pole. This year, Danica is back, and will start at position 27 in her GoDaddy-sponsored Chevrolet.</p><p>A number is generating the excitement this year. No. 3 is back at the Speedway — and on the pole, no less. The last time No. 3 was on the track was Feb. 18, 2001, and legendary racer Dale Earnhardt was behind the wheel. Earnhardt died that day, crashing in Turn 4 of his final lap and not surviving his injuries.</p><p>This year, rookie racer Austin Dillon is behind the wheel of the No. 3 Chevrolet. He earned the pole by clocking the fastest time around the Speedway's 2.5-mile tri-oval. Some fans would like to see Earnhardt's number retired, and others believe Earnhardt himself would have wanted to see No. 3 used on the track. When the race begins this afternoon, fans will see if Dillon can measure up to the legacy of the number.</p><p>Fans have already witnessed the excitement of the Sprint Unlimited, the Budweiser Duel, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NextEra Energy Resources 250, and the Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300. Now it's time for the biggest one of them all: the Daytona 500.</p><p>Barring any delay, just before 1 p.m. today, fans will rise for the national anthem. The Thunderbirds will roar over the Speedway. Grand marshal and superhero Captain America — actually, actor Chris Evans — will implore racers to “start your engines.”</p><p>And once again the Great American Race will be under way.</p>